My whole truck has had a shake for the past 2 weeks. I can feel it in the wheel at all speeds. I found my front driver's brake was locked up, so I replaced the brakes and rotors on both sides (I have known for a long time the passenger rotor was out of round). That didn't help. When I was putting the passenger side back together, I spun the wheel and noticed it was still catching at some points even with new pads and a new rotor, like the new rotor was warped. That doesn't make sense to me. I also noticed on that side my 4x4 hub keeps coming loose when I take the tire off. I can't pull it off when I put the tire back on, but just 2 days of driving, and I will come off in my hand. The truck is also pulls hard to the passenger side. I can visibly see the truck is way out of alignment, but it seems to be the drivers side that out (presumably from the stuck brake).

I'm out of ideas of what's causing the shake. I assume whatever is causing the wheel to bind a bit. With the wheel up in the air, everything feels tight. No play in the bearings, which was my first thought. I thought maybe a spindle, but the 4x4 doesn't have traditional spindles (brakes attached to bearing). Only thing I can think of is a bent bracket, but nothing looked bent and I don't know how I would I have done that. Any ideas what to even check?

 

Shaking and shimmies are oftentimes caused by a faulty tire or rim. Make sure you rule that out first.

Otherwise, it might be a bad bearing assembly...or maybe something like the retaining clip (snap ring) that holds the bearing assembly in place is not doing its job.

For reference: 1998-2000 Ranger Hub Bearing Replacement : The Ranger Station

 

Finally got to look at it today. The clip is in lace in the front end. The front axle can wiggle some, but it moves about the same as the other side, so that seems ok.

Since I started this thread, the shake has changed. I no longer feel the steering wheel try to pull hard to one side, and the passenger front wheel spins freely now (I guess the new brakes just had to wear in). the shake now seems speed dependent. Its not there at low speed, but the whole truck feels like it will shake apart between 60 and 70 mph. It settles down above 70. I can hear a squeak at this speed, but I think its just my brake pads rattling around with the vibration. I do not feel it in the steering wheel, and I do not feel like I loose control. Its just a really bad vibration. I took the rear of the drive shaft off today, and the rear u-joint seems fine. The rear end is nice and free (was replaced with an explorer rear last year). I even ran it a bit up on blocks and listened. No clicks, clunks, or anything in first anyway. Could a missing wheel weight cause this? I know it is out of alignment, but wouldn't expect that to cause a bad vibration. I am not sure what to check next.

 

Turns out it is my driver side front tire. I swapped it out for my spare and the vibration is completely gone. It also now pulls left like I thought it should. Not sure specifically what is wrong with the tire yet. Taking it in later today.